Painting device for round surfaces



Dec. 26, 1950 F. c. PHILLIPS 2,535,451

PAINTING DEVICE FUR ROUND SURFACES Filed Nov. 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l I l lil F. C. Pff/UPS INVENTOR ATTORNEY Dec. 26, 195o F. c. PHILLIPS 2,535,451

K PAINTING DEVICE FOR ROUND SURFACES Filed Nov. 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 26, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to paint spraying apparatus and has reference to a device for spraying convex surfaces.

An object of the invention is to provide a paint spraying device for painting large convex surfaces such as smokestacks, grain elevators, and the like.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the hazard of having a painter suspended for long periods of time on scaffolds and the like when smokestacks and the like are being painted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the described class which will save time when used for painting or spraying the objects referred to.

Another object of the invention is to provide a paint spraying device for the described purpose in which the individual nozzles are uniformly spaced With respect to the surface being painted, even though the latter is tapered, such as the surface of a smokestack.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a paint spraying device of the described class, spring tension and roller means whereby the device may be operated in spaced relation with reference to the surface being painted. f

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings of exemplary forms of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a circular paint spraying device engaged upon the outer surface of a cylindrical surface, such as a smokestack, and showing, by means of dotted lines, the spraying action of the device.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device illustrated in Figure 1, and particularly showing the overlapping arrangement or the ends of the circular members whereby the device may be adapted to inclined or tapered surfaces, such as the illustrated fragmentary portion of a smokestack.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the paint spraying device taken on lines 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating the present device adapted to the painting of a tall structure, such as a smokestack.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of one of the rollers forming a part of the invention.

Figure 6 is a broken sectional view of a portion of the circular paint supplying tube and showing a valve arrangement for closing certain of the nozzles when the device contracts and assumes a smaller diameter. Figure 6 is taken on lines 6-6 of Figure 7.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on lines 'I-'l of Figure 2, and

Figure 8 is a modified form of the invention adapted to painting convex surfaces of grain elevators in which the surfaces to be painted are not completely annular.

The form of the invention shown in Figure l includes a circular paint supply tube I having overlapping ends, as illustrated in Figure 2, which are closed', and which tube is provided with a tubular inlet 2 connected with a flexible supply hose 3. The tube is of a spring material to cause the circle formed to contract under tension when the device is applied to an object having a diametervgreater than the diameter defined by the innermost points of the device when the latter is in its contracted position.

The inner periphery of the flexible tube I is provided withl a series of spaced spray units fi, the details of Which are shown in Figure 3, and each unit consisting of a tubular air jacket 5, secured to the surface of the said tube and provided With a tubular nozzle S therein communicating with the said tube. Another ieXible tube l, similar to the first described ileXible tube i, is secured to the air jackets 5 and is provided with ports 8 for communicating air to the said jackets. Air is supplied to the circular air tube 'I by means of ak connection 9 and an air supply hose I. The' operation of the spray units i consists of supplying paint to the tube I and air pressure to the circular air tube l. As the paint is forced out of the nozzle 6, the surrounding air jet atomizes the paint, causing a spray for covering the surface to be painted.

As shown in Figures 2, 6, and 7, the ends of the circular tubes I and 'l are positioned one above the other and the nozzles 6 of the last two sprayer units 4 are provided with valves II. The valves II consist of vertical bearings I2 in the lower surface of the tube I and are provided with stems I3 therethrough having cams i3d at their upper ends for engaging and closing the inner ends of the nozzles 6. The last described operation is carried out by means of laterally projecting triggers I4 which are integral with and located outwardly of the stems I3 and are adapted to be engaged by the end of the lower circular air tube I when the device contracts, as will be referred to in the description of operation. Upon contraction the abutting end of the lower air tube 'l first actuates the trigger I nearest the same, and upon further movement actuates the second trigger, thus closing the valve units II successively.

The assembled paint and air tubes I and 'I are provided with roller carriers I5, as shown in Figure 5, for supporting and spacing the device relative to the surface to be painted. Each roller carrier I5 is comprised of a triangular hanger plate I6, a roller I'I rotatably supported at one corner of the plate, and a clamp member I8 pivoted to the plate at the said roller. Each hanger plate I6 and clamp I8 is recessed to accommodate the diameters of the paint and air tubes I and l. TheY clamp I8 is detachably secured to the` plate I,6 by means of;V a. s crewv and nut arrangement I9 at the corner of the described triangle opposite the roller I'I.

Any suitable hoist means may be employed for raising and lowering the device; such as: illustrated in Figure 4. In the latten. supportelclI pulleys 20 are temporarily installed atfthe 'top of a smokestack 2|, and ropesl2'2`faeusedi'ncon nection with the pulleys for attaching hoplgs 23, at the ends of the ropes in holes 24 in the upper corners of the plates I6. By reason of the spring tension of the circular tubes I` andv'l, the rollers I'I are caused to engage thesurface 'of the s molre` stackv 2|. The described form-of the invention maybe applied rst to the base ofthe smolestack' 2I to be painted, and movedA upwardly inj order that the spray valves II may opera-te lsveparate1y in the manner described; In other forms off' the invention, Vthe device` may be clerz'ited-l from:` top tobottom of the structure tob'epaihted;

The form ofthe inventionshown in ligurel 8v1is similar to the; one previouslyi described but' con`` sists'ofarcuate tubes 25 and-26A whichl correspond- With the described paint vand airftubes 'I and 1,

respectively, but Which tubes do-notdefineafcom- 5 plete circle.y The tubesf25` andV26 are flexible and may be shaped to thegcontour'ofthe surf/ace;

to be painted, but are not necessarily of; springv material. This form of theinvention ris" for painting convex "surfaces, such 'asf grain elevators '2-15, illustrated-in part in ligur'e.y rPhe lastdescribed form of the invention includes the rollercarrirsv I5 secured to for holdingthel tubes-25 andZIv iny the manner previously referredv to', andthe respective tubes are provided' with'paint and air .i

supply hoses 3 and- II); as previously described;

The operation of thelastdescribed form'cf-Fthe convex surfaces to be painted, andjby reasonof;

the spray action through the spray units 4, the surface is covered with a coat of paint.

The form of the invention shown and described is not restrictive but may be made in many ways within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for painting a cylindrical surface, comprising a flexible annular paint supplying tube, the ends of which are arranged in overlapping-g relationwith respect to each other, inwardly directed nozzles supported by and communicating with the said tube, and roller means supported by the said tube for spacing the said nozzles from the. surface to be painted.

2: A'devi'ce for painting a cylindrical surface, comprsl am annular exible paint supply tube of springmaterial arranged for reducing the diameter' of the annulus formed by said tube, inwardly: directed nozzles supported by and communicating with said tube, and spacing means supported.byy said tube and arranged for spacing said, nozzlesffromthe surface to be painted.

3. In a device for painting a cylijndii calfsurfaceJ al. supply tubel comprised of a length o fl tube in the form. of an annul'us and having the, ends thereof` arranged in overlapping relation` with re'- spect to each other, inwardly directed nozzles supported by and inr communication withy said' tube', a4 valve` including a. projecting trigger said valve being operatively.connectedwithone of 'said nozzles near 'one end' of said tubefor controlling thesuppl'y of fluid thereto, said trigger being arranged to be. contacted. and actuated by the, end

ofY said tube other than the, end. in which said.`

valve operated' nozzle is located; andspacer means supported bysaid tube for contacting. and spacing 

